Viking celebration of the New Year in Shetland Islands, Scotland

Participants dressed in armour and holding Viking war-axes and shields gather for a procession during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 31. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.

Andy Buchanan / AFP - Getty Images

Participants dressed in armour and holding Viking war-axes and shields take part in a procession during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 31.

Andy Buchanan / AFP - Getty Images

'Guizer Jarl' David Nicholson, leader of the 'Jarl Squad', stands aboard his longboat next to its beast-head prow during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 31. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.

Andy Buchanan / AFP - Getty Images

Young 'Jarl Squad' members Murray Shearer, left, and his brother Logan play dressed in their Viking armour before the start of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 31. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.